I found a model for my dress!

Our Granddaughter was so exhausted after helping us move her into her new apartment, that she fell into a deep sleep....so I took the opportunity to put her dress on over her onesie,  just to see if it would fit.  I'm just so in love with this little lady, and cherish each and ever snuggle I get!  It took us 3 days to get the kids moved into their new apartment and clean their old apartment....moving is never fun...

I didn't get a lot of stitching done this weekend, but only have a little bit more on the Winter Quaker October part, so will be back soon to show pictures.  

Remember, every time you comment during the month of October, you will get a chance to enter in the giveaway (which I still haven't decided what it will be).  I'm having trouble replying to comments, so forgive me if you don't get a return email.  I'm doing the best I can (sometimes the internet gives me gray hair!  LOL)  Till then, Happy Stitching!  Stay safe and well, won't you? 

Welcome October! Breast Cancer Awareness

Hello Fellow Stitchers!  It's October and my favorite month for a lot of reasons!  First, it's fall...and my favorite time of year!  The weather begins to cool down, and the days seem to be less hectic.  It's also my birthday month!  Yippee!  For many reasons I love celebrating another "trip around the sun"...this year in particular, was a year of joy for me!  I got to celebrate a year of having a Daughter in law (who loves stitching!), and the year of our first grandchild.  Can it get any better than this?  And last, October is the month I get to nag  encourage you to get your yearly breast exams.  

Many of you know that I am an 11 year survivor  Breast Cancer.  I am one of the few who never had a history of breast cancer in my family.  I don't drink, nor do I smoke, and I really don't have any of the usual precursors to the disease.  I was still in my 40's, healthy otherwise, and was considered "too young" to have had the disease.  Still I had been getting my yearly mammogram since I was 45.  They found it while it was very small, but even then, it had already spread to my lymph nodes.  I'm telling you all this, because it came out of the blue for me, and given that 1 out of every 8 women will contract this disease, you never know who it will affect.  It is always better to be safer rather than sorry.  Please, for those you love and care for, and for yourself, have your yearly check up!  Those who matter to you will thank you!

I usually have a giveaway this month for those who comment and make plans (or have made plans this year) to have a breast exam.  I've had an incredibly busy year and have a lot of things I need to do before December this year, so I will need to get my thinking cap on and decide what I'm going to include in the giveaway.  I've made things in the past, given away patterns, and other things, so I'm not sure what I'll do this year.  (with the birth of our grandbaby last month, October snuck up on me rather quickly)  I'll be nagging reminding you to get your exams all month, so stay tuned, I'll post soon what I plan on giving soon.  Any comment made this month will be included in the giveaway.  Only comment once for each post, but if you comment on more than one post, you will get another chance in the drawing at the end of the month.  Clear as mud right?  Hopefully you understand, and I'll be back soon with what I will be giving away.  Good luck!

To keep you interested, here is something I finished recently...this is September by Little House Needleworks.  I've been stitching these for my British pen pal and I've fallen behind.  I need a little kick in the rear to get motivated so I can catch up again!  LOL  

Happy stitching, everyone!  And don't forget to get those yearly exams!! 

Crocheting along...

You never know what you can accomplish if you don't try!  Hi everybody!  I guess, because all that has been going on,  I am all over the map with my creativity.  I'm kind of in a slump lately, not sure what is going on in my brain.  I know it looks like I'm accomplishing a lot, but in all honesty, I could be doing a lot more!  I find myself in kind of a slump.

To that end, I decided I would make a few things for our little DGD.  I knew some rudimentary crochet stitches, just enough to make a few little things here and there.  Mainly afghans and bookmarks.  LOL  I have tried my hand at crocheting doilies but they always end up looking like bowls.  I guess I crochet too tight.  Anyway...now that I have a baby to crochet for, I thought I would try a few different things.  I know you saw the sheep snuggle sack I made for her for her shower...but I've been messing around with a few more things.

Dear DIL loves dressing her up, so I thought I would make her a dress.  She is so very tiny, that I decided to try a different type of yarn, and a smaller needle, and made her this dress.  I hope it fits!  I'll be visiting her today, so maybe next time I'll have pictures.  If this fits, I have a few more ideas in the works...this was just left over yarn from an afghan I made earlier, so it's not like it cost any money, only my time...

I also saw this adorable snuggle sack online and thought it would be perfect for her for Christmas pictures.  We will see what they do with it.  I just thought it was too cute to pass by.  Again, experimenting with sizes, so we will see if she fits in it.  It's great being a grandmother, I would never have had time to do things like this when my son was a baby, but as a grandmother, I have so much more time now!

Ok, I've had my break from stitching, and since the next part of Winter Quaker has been sent, I'm off to get some stitching done.  Hopefully my little break was enough to jump start my stitching bug.  Hope you all are safe wherever you are, and well.  Happy Stitching! 

Just another stitch day...

I'm going to try and post more often, seems when I do post they are miles too long...even I get tired of reading them!  LOL  Now that I have most of the "baby stitching" done, I have a little more time to catch up on WIPs and other stitching.  I have been trying to keep up with Pen Pal stitching.  In the last post I showed the Baltimore Oriole I stitched, so this time I'll show you the finish I had.

A while ago (years now) I attended a retreat we used to hold annually (before covid) and we would exchange stitched gifts.  One year one of the ladies finished a pin cushion on a little glass tray.  I loved the idea, and visited thrift stores here and there looking for the right kind of relish trey.  I found a few, wrapped them up, and stored them for the next time I wanted to try making one.  I've been making different things for my pen pal, but was wracking my brain trying to think of something different when I remembered the trays I had stashed away.  My husband is thrilled I'm letting go of different things!  LOL  It's really time I de-stashed!  Anyway, here is the outcome....not too bad for my first attempt!

She texted the day she got it and thanked me, she said she just couldn't wait.  Aww...I'm soooo glad she liked it!  I really need to make one for myself now!  LOL!!  It's really hard thinking of fresh ideas, I'm sure she's tired of getting little ornament finishes...I honestly love stitching for others, the finishing is a chore for me!

I realized I haven't always shown the stitching she makes for me.  Her stitching is lovely!  And she is a master at finishing in different ways.  She's a delight...her letters are fun...and I'm always surprised by what she sends.  Here is what she sent the last two months.

I've been working on Christmas ornaments.  Here are the latest two...

Snow Day by Squareology from the 2016 JCS Ornament issue  Isn't it fun?  Now to decide to finish as a round ornament or a biscornu.  

Santa & Helper by Keslyn's from the 2021 JCS Ornament issue.  I don't know why I have been having so much fun stitching these gnomes...funny how lately there have been a lot of them!  This one will probably be made into a stocking.

I finally pulled this WIP out of my closet.  I was doing so good when this was a SAL.  It's a challenge to stitch...on the sparkling fabric...it knots my threads and shreds them pretty quickly.  I'm going to power through, and NEVER use sparkly fabric again!  LOL!!  Anyway, here's a before and after picture so you can see how slooooow I go with this one!  LOL!!

Ok, off I go to get some stitching in before my sunshine (little Aubrey) arrives.  They are visiting today.    I hope you are safe and well wherever you are!  Happy Stitching!

September Gifted Gorgeousness

Whew, I can't believe how fast this year is passing.  It's been a wild ride since I last posted, so I'll try to catch you up!  First of all, what is Gifted Gorgeousness?  This is a challenge Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching has been hosting for a few years now.  This is where we showcase stitching that is associated with gifts.  They can be gifts we were given (pattern, fabric, floss, embellishments and the like) or things that have been stitched and given to others or given to us.  You can read more about it on Jo's blog by clicking here, and you can sign up to join us if you like, it's never too late!  If you want to see what others have been stitching, and see the wonderful things Jo stitches,  click here.

I've been so busy the past couple of months, between crocheting gifts for our new grandbaby, stitching for exchanges I've been a part of, or working on SALs.  I seem to have lost the joy of it for a bit.  I hope that now most of the "mandatory" things have been finished, I can relax and stitch something I really want to make.

I'll start with the SALs I've been working on.  Two of these were Christmas gifts from my husband.  He bought the patterns and the floss, but I had the fabric in my stash.  The first is Modern Folk Embroidery SAL.  I was two months behind at the end of  August, but thankfully I had a few uninterrupted days and was able to catch up, then stitch September's piece near the beginning of September.  I love how this looks, but have to be honest, the amount of stitching is insane!  LOL  Only 3 more months to go, and I think I'll definitely frame this for the fair next year!

The next SAL is Winter Quaker by Wiehenberg Designs.  I have been able to keep up with this one, and honestly, I love stitching on it.  28 count Navy is a challenge to stitch on, but I do find it relaxing and a joy.  Only 3 more months for this one too!

Next is the Peppermint Purple SAL.  I consider this a GG because the pattern is given freely by the designer.  A new blackwork block is released each week.  I was behind quite a few weeks before, but now I'm caught up.   A new one will be released today and hopefully I'll get it done today.  I like keeping up with this one!  You can find the patterns on her SAL Facebook page.

Next are some Christmas ornaments from JCS Magazine.  DH gifts me the subscription every year so I consider these part of GG as well.  I'm a bit behind (aren't you glad?  LOL!!) but did manage to finish stitching two last month.  First is Brittercup Designs Christmas Centerpiece from the Ornament issue 2008 stitched on 28 count waterlilies lugana over one.

Next is O Christmas Tree by Lisa LeAnn Designs from JCS 2020 Ornament Issue.  This is stitched on 32 count white over four for the specialty stitches, and over two for the cross stitches.  This was a fun one to stitch!

Next was a free pattern from Leslie Teare I think it was on Lakeside SAL FB page?  It's called Lakeside Summer Medley.  I love Leslie's designs, they seem so delicate and I find the blackwork fun to do.  This is stitched on 40 count Antique White over two and was finished into an ornament for a pen pal.  Hopefully she has received it by now.  

Next was also a free pattern I found, this month we were supposed to stitch something for our pen pals that represented where were from.  This is a Baltimore Oriole.  I was so excited when I found this pattern, only to realize there was no threads listed for the symbol key.  So I dug out my thread chart from DMC and began picking colors.  I'm pretty happy with the results.  This was stitched on 28 count light blue over one.  I'll have to figure a way to finish it off and get it in the mail soon!

This is a Little House Needlework series I've been stitching for my English pen pal.  I'm a wee bit behind, as was trying to keep a month ahead so she would have it for the month it was intended.  I still haven't stitched Septembers, but hopefully I'll get September and October done this month.  Wish me luck!  These have all been stitched on 40 count over two Natural linen.  Here is August.

The last item I have for this month was one I actually finished yesterday.  Many of you knew I was going to be a grandma for the first time this year.   We were expecting her around the 27th but she arrived last week, a wee bit early.  We didn't know if she would be a girl or boy and had to wait several days before we even knew her name (the parents couldn't decide) and even longer before we could hold her.  She is so sweet, and so tiny, but such a delightful new member of the family.  This is Aubrey, and the birth sampler I stitched that her mother picked out.  This is A New Star by DebBee's Designs, it is stitched on 32 count Summer Skies, Sparklies Hand Dyed Fabric (a gift from Mouse several years ago).   Welcome to the world, Aubrey, you were well loved before you even came into this world, and we can't wait to spoil you like all Gigi's and Grandpa's should!  

One last thing I would like to share with you, is the entries into the state fair this year.  I won a prize on everything I submitted, including the "Special Award" for the top prize in all the blue ribbons in that category.  Here is Winter's Majesty.

Christmas Snowflake won second place

and Christmas Caroler won fourth place.

And that, as they say, is all that's fit to print.  Sorry for always having such a long post..LOL  it's just been such a wild ride lately.  Hopefully things will calm down a bit, my body is tired from all the upheaval this year has brought.  I'm ready for a little "down time".  Off to get more stitching done!  Enjoy your day and Happy Stitching!

August Gifted Gorgeousness

Hello fellow stitchers!  Thanks for visiting my blog today!  If you are a frequent reader you'll know that Gifted Gorgeousness is the post I talk about the things I've stitched during the past month that were gifted to me (fabrics, fibers, or patterns and fully finished projects) or that I have gifted others.  Last month was Christmas in July so I finished off a lot of little projects that I will be gifting others used patterns that were gifted to me (or were free from designers) .  If you would like to participate in this challenge that is the brain child of Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching.  You can read the rules here.  Or you can visit Jo's page and see what others are stitching here.

Many of you know I've been stitching the free Advent characters from Brooke's Books.  I was down to the last two!  I have them all stitched now and will be fully finishing them soon!  Here are Deborah Donkey, and Rudolf Reindeer both stitched on 32 count  light blue over one.

I've also been stitching the 12 Dragonets of 2012 by Dragon Dreams.  I was stitching one a month but since last month was Christmas in July challenge I was able to finish stitching the last 5 and hopefully will fully finish them soon.  Here are 8 Dragons Milking, 9 Dragons Dancing, 10 Dragons Leaping, 11 Dragons Piping, and 12 Dragons Drumming.  These are stitched on 28 count natural over two.

I have been working on some Nursery Rhyme Characters hoping to make a mobile for my Grandchild who will be delivered in September.  I was hoping to finish it for the shower that was yesterday, but I just ran out of time.  So here are the last few that weren't published last month.  I'm just going to show the pictures, and you can guess the rhymes.  If you get stumped, they are listed on the 2021 goals page...just scroll down the finished items and you should find them.  These are stitched on 40 count Lambswool over two and were quick and easy stitches!

I was able to finish up a couple of crocheted items for the baby too.   First was this little afghan.  This was such a challenge to me...but so relieved when I finished it.  I love how it came out!

And last is this Yawn the Sheep Snuggle Sack.  This was a free pattern from Yarnspirations.  I found a few mistakes in the pattern, but I was able to work around them and figure out how to put it together.  My DIL loved it!  And my son said they could put the baby in it for their first Halloween...hahaha.  It's pretty big, so he or she might be a little lost in it, but it will definitely keep them warm!  July/August is a pretty warm month to be crocheting....but it's the first project of this type that I have done and I'm pretty proud of how it turned out!

And that's all that's fit to print.  I did take a week long vacation to celebrate our 37th anniversary and hopefully when life slows down a bit I'll be able to blog a little bit about that.  We were so focused  on the shower that happened yesterday, that I have had little time for anything else.  I have to say there was a nice turn out for the shower and they got a lot of really sweet gifts.  Hopefully I'll be back to stitching again soon, it's been so long I really feel like I'm going through withdrawal!  But this time it will be things I want to stitch for ME!  (How's that for selfishness?  hahaha)  Ok, off to take a well deserved rest today.  I hope you are all safe, healthy, and loving life!  Happy Stitching!

Hobby House Needleworks

Hi Fellow Stitchers!  I know I've been MIA for a little while.  Sometimes you just need to "get outta town" ... LOL  It was our anniversary last week, so my husband decided we needed a little trip to celebrate our 37 years of marriage.  So we decided to take a trip north to visit friends and family.  

When I saw a new needlework store was slightly out of the way on the way north, we decided to visit there first. and I'm so glad we did!  When we walked in the door to Hobby House Needleworks our first sight was of a lovely fireplace with needlework models displayed around two inviting chairs.  

Kathy greeted us at the door as we walked in.  She asked what I needed (floss of course!  LOL) and walked me over to find everything I had on my list.  Just look at how well stocked they are!!!  I have to say, as soon as I walked in the door, I felt a peace ... but also a sense of WOW!  I was amazed at how well stocked their store is.  There was so much there, but it wasn't crowded.  It was well laid out so you could see most things at a glance.  They had all kinds of fibers...and they were there for the taking (not like some stores where they are on display but you have to order them).  

Their stock of fabric (even though some is hard to find right now) was amazing, and even though they didn't have the exact fabric I was looking for, they searched and found the color I needed, then found a substitute that would work well.  It's a new fabric I haven't used before, I'm anxious to give it a try!  

Not only did they cut exactly what I needed, they surged the edges and ironed it before they slipped it into a plastic sleeve and wrapped it neatly in tissue paper.  Amazing!   They told me they do this for their mail orders too!  Their philosophy is that when you receive anything from them, you can take it out of the bag and begin immediately.  They also wrapped their floss in tissue paper so it wouldn't get tangled in the bag with any other item you are buying.  I found some things I've been looking for (like bell pull hardware, charms (lots of them!!) and smaller tart pans).  It really is a stitcher's paradise!

They are well stocked in patterns as well.  They are in baskets, bins, turning display racks, but separated by designer so things are very easy to find!  And if you can't find something, Kathy is right there to lend a  hand!

In the loft of the store is a long table with chairs around it for their stitch events.  It's surrounded by all kinds of goodies, wool swatches of different sizes, more silk fibers, charms, needlework stands (they took time to show me one which I actually bought...all the parts, how they worked together, and all the pieces I would need, then let me sit and try it out...) and various other things.  You don't know how much I would love living near there to attend their stitch events.  They truly love what they are doing and really cater to their customers (I'm going to call them guests because they treated you like they really wanted you there).

I enjoyed my visit there so much, and I know if  you are able to go there too, you'll find the same experience.  They helped me find charts I was looking for, then showed me models they had hanging around the store and had stories to tell about who stitched them, or about the pattern.  Here's the address...it's near a lot of lovely sights in the area too, with a lot of wonderful restaurants and hotels.  We plan to go back and see more of the sights!  

Hobby House Needleworks

50 State Street (The Green Log Cabin)

Pittsford, NY  14534

They do a lovely mail order service too, here is their website...Just click on the link!

https://hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/

And you can visit them on Facebook by clicking this link!

https://www.facebook.com/hobbyhouseneedleworks

Thank you, Kathy, for such a lovely visit to your shop!  I'll be watching for any stitching events you  may have in the future and hope to see you again!